Hair Styling Tool and Heating System

ABSTRACT

A hair styling tool and heating system for heating a variety of types of hair styling tools. The hair styling tool and heating system include a curling iron having a head removably secured to a handle, wherein the head can be removed in order to allow for a different sized and shaped heads to be attached to the handle for a different type of hair style. The hair styling tool and heating system further include a heating station having a plurality of slots disposed on the front side thereof, wherein each slot is able to receive and heat the head of the curling iron to a predetermined temperature. The heating station allows a countertop, such as a salon workspace, to remain uncluttered and allows multiple curling iron heads to be heated simultaneously so the hair styling tools are ready for immediate use when needed.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/022,247 filed on Jul. 9, 2014. The above identified patent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to hair styling tools. More specifically, the present invention provides a hair styling tool and heating system comprising a curling iron having a handle removably secured to a head, wherein the curling iron is adapted to style a user's hair. The hair styling tool and heating system further comprises a heating station having a plurality of slots disposed on the front side thereof, wherein the slots are adapted to receive and heat the head of a curling iron therein.

In the hair styling industry, professional hair stylists use a variety of tools that are heated prior to use, such as curling irons, straightening irons, and the like in order to achieve a particular hair style on their clients. For example, there exists various types of curling irons having different shaped and sized barrels, or heads, in order to provide different size and types of curls or waves in an individual's hair. Furthermore, various curling irons are used at different temperatures depending on the client's particular type of hair. For example, a curling iron with a high temperature setting is needed for a client having thicker hair, wherein a curling iron with a lower temperature setting is needed for a client having thinner hair. Curling irons and the like require a certain amount of time to heat up. Therefore, many professional hair stylists choose to keep their tools plugged in and continuously heated in order to be ready for use. Other stylists choose to wait to heat a tool until the exact time it is needed. As a result, the hairstylist may spend more time with each client, which is inefficient and may be inconvenient for the client.

Furthermore, professional hair stylists often use a number of curling irons and the like on an individual client during a single appointment, which leaves their workspace appearing messy and unorganized. It is important for a hair stylist to maintain a professional and clean workstation in order to attract and retain clients. Additionally, having a workspace cluttered with hot tools is dangerous due to the temperature of the tools and abundance of wires extending from the tools. Even wireless tools left unprotected on one's workstation creates a safety hazard due to the heat emanating from the head of the tool and the risk of having an individual touching the hot surface thereof. Therefore, there exists a need in the prior art for a system that allows multiple tools to be heated simultaneously and stored in an organized manner.

It is submitted that the present invention substantially diverges in design elements from the prior art and consequently it is clear that there is a need in the art for an improvement to existing hair styling tool and heating system. In this regard the instant invention substantially fulfills these needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of hair styling tools and heating systems now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new hair styling tool and heating system wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when heating and storing a number of hair styling tools therein.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved hair styling tool and heating system that has all of the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a hair styling tool and heating system comprising a curling iron having a handle removably secured to a head, wherein the curling iron is adapted to be heated and style a user's hair.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a hair styling tool and heating system wherein the handle is removably secured to the head of the curling iron in order to allow for a different shaped and sized heads to be attached thereto so as to minimize the number of curling irons and the like needed when styling hair.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a hair styling tool and heating system comprising a triangular heating station having plurality of slots disposed on the front side thereof and adapted to receive the head of the curling iron therein.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a hair styling tool and heating system further comprising a fastening joint having a magnetic receiving material and a magnet, wherein the magnetic receiving material is disposed on the head of the curling iron and the magnet is disposed on a slot, such that the head of the curling iron is removably securable to the slot of the heating station.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a hair styling tool and heating system wherein each of the slots comprises a heating element that allows the head of the curling iron to be heated when removably secured thereto.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a hair styling tool and heating system that may be readily fabricated from materials that permit relative economy and are commensurate with durability.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.

FIG. 1A shows a perspective view of the curling iron of the hair styling tool and heating system.

FIG. 1B shows a perspective view of the curling iron of the hair styling tool and heating system wherein the head is detached from the handle.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the heating station of the hair styling tool and heating system.

FIG. 3 shows a diagram of the control circuit of the heating station and the curling iron of the hair styling tool and heating system.

FIG. 4 shows a diagram of the control circuit of the heating station and the curling iron of the hair styling tool and heating system.

FIG. 5 shows a cross sectional view of the heating station of the hair styling tool and heating system, wherein the head of the curling iron is disposed within a slot.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the hair styling tool and heating system. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for heating and storing hair styling tools in an organized and safe manner. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.

Referring now to FIGS. 1A and 1B, there is shown a perspective view of the curling iron of the hair styling tool and heating system and a perspective view of the curling iron of the hair styling tool and heating system wherein the head is detached from the handle. The hair styling tool and heating system comprise at least one curling iron 13 having a handle 25 removably secured to a head 22, wherein the handle 25 is adapted to be grasped by a user. The curling iron 13 is preferably cordless so as to allow the user to freely move while styling an individual's hair without the worry of becoming entangled with a cord. Furthermore, the cordless curling iron 13 contributes to a clutter free workspace.

The head 22 of the curling iron 13 comprises an internal heating element, such as a heating coil, that can be powered by a power source disposed in the handle 25. The head 22 is adapted to be heated via the heating element. Alternatively, the exterior of the head 22 can be heated by placing the head 22 in a heated heating station, wherein the heating station transfers heat to the head 22 of the curling iron 13. The head 22 is composed of any suitable heat retaining material, such as a metal, Teflon, ceramic, or titanium. Furthermore, the head 22 of the curling iron 13 comprises a ferromagnetic material that is adapted to removably secure to a magnet. In this way, the head 22 of the curling iron 13 can be placed in the heating station via a magnetic fastener disposed on the heating station. In some embodiments, the head 22 comprises a magnetic receiving fastener composed of ferromagnetic material disposed on the surface thereof that allows the head 22 to be removably secured to a magnet. The magnetic receiving fastener can be any suitable shape, such as an elongated, rectangular strip.

The handle 25 is removably secured to the head 22 by a fastening joint 27 so as to allow the handle 25 to interchangeably secure to various heads 22 having different shapes and sizes. In the illustrated embodiment, the head 22 is elongated and cylindrical in shape, wherein a secondary handle 41 is attached thereto. The secondary handle 41 is connected to an elongated section 42 that partially extends along the length of the head 22 and is adapted to hold hair in place as it is wrapped around the head 22 of the curling iron 13. The secondary handle 41 is adapted to lift the elongated section 42 in order to position hair between the head 22 and the elongated section 42. In other embodiments, the head 22 can be various sizes and shapes in order to provide different sized curls or waves. In other embodiments, the heads 22 are the same shape as in the illustrated embodiment, however, multiple heads 22 are adapted to be heated simultaneously to different temperatures in order to allow a user to have immediate access to a head 22 that has been heated to a desired temperature. In some embodiments, the head 22 comprises a straightener head 22 in order to straighten hair.

The handle 25 is removably secured and operably connected to the head 22 of the curling iron 13 by any suitable fastening joint that permits the transfer of power from the handle 25 to the head 22. In the illustrated embodiment, the fastening joint is magnetic, such that the magnetic fastener permits an electronic circuit to complete when the handle 25 and head 22 are attached, thereby transferring electricity from the power source disposed in the handle to the heating element disposed in the head 22. In some embodiments, the head 22 and handle 25 of the curling iron 13 each comprise a negative and positive terminal disposed on the fastening joint, such that when the negative terminal of the head 22 and the handle 25 are in alignment and the positive terminal of the head 22 and handle 25 are in alignment, electricity is transferred therethrough

The handle 25 comprises a light indicator 23 and a control button 20, wherein the control button 20 is adapted to turn the power on and power the head 22 of the curling iron 13. When the predetermined temperature of the head 22 is reached, the light indicator 23 of the handle 25 will illuminate, thereby informing the user that the curling iron 13 is ready to be used.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a perspective view of the heating station of the hair styling tool and heating system. The hair styling tool and heating system further comprise a heating station 12 having a bottom 31, one or more sidewalls 40, and a closed upper end, wherein the heating station 12 houses the operating components thereof. In the illustrated embodiment, the heating station 12 is triangular in shape having a front side 30, a rear side, a pair of lateral sides. However, in other embodiments, the heating station 12 can be any suitable shape, such as a rectangle. The bottom 31 of the heating station 12 includes a plurality of legs 16 that elevate the heating station 12 in order to create a space between the bottom 31 and a support surface. The space allows a user to easily grasp the heating station 12 from therebeneath.

The heating station 12 further comprises a plurality of slots 14 disposed thereon. The slots 14 are adapted to receive the head of a curling iron therein, wherein each slot 14 comprises a heating element, such as a heating coil disposed on the interior of the heating station 12 and adjacent to the periphery of the slot 14. Each slot 14 is adapted to attain a predetermined temperature so as to heat the head of the curling iron disposed therein. In the illustrated embodiment, the slots 14 are horizontally oriented and comprise a circular cross section due to the cylindrical shape of the head of a curling iron. However, in other embodiments, the cross section of the slot 14 can be any suitable shape in order correspond in shape to other heads of hair styling tools, such as a straightening iron having a square cross section. Furthermore, in other embodiments, the slot 14 can be angled downward so as to use a gravitational force to further secure the head therein.

Each slot 14 comprises a fastener that removably secures the head of a curling iron thereto. The fastener prevents the curling iron head from falling out of the slot 14, thereby allowing the head to safely remain heated therein. In the illustrated embodiment, the lower end of the slot 14 comprises a magnetic strip 15. The magnetic strip 15 extends along the length of the slot 14. In some embodiments, the fastener comprises a male fastener disposed within the slot 14 and a female fastener disposed on the head of the curling iron. When the head of the curling iron is placed within the slot 14, the female fastener will engage with the male fastener in order to removably secure the head to the slot 14.

The heating station 12 further comprises a plurality of light indicators 19 and temperature labels 18 disposed on the front side thereof, wherein each light indicator 19 and temperature label 18 is disposed adjacently to a corresponding slot 14. Each slot 14 is adapted to heat to a predetermined temperature as indicated on the temperature label 18. When the slot 14 has reached the temperature provided by the label 18, the light indicator 19 will become illuminated to inform the user that the curling iron head therein is ready to be used. The slot 14 is composed of any suitable heat retaining material, such as stainless steel, copper, or aluminum. However, the surrounding portion of the heating station 12 is insulated from the heat generated from the slots 14 so as not to increase in temperature when the slot 14 is heated.

The heating station 12 further comprises one or more control buttons 17 disposed on the front side 30 thereof. The control buttons 17 power and operate the heating station 12. In the illustrated embodiment, there is a control button 17 adapted to turn the power of the heating station 12 on or off, thereby allowing the slots 14 to increase or decrease in heat. In other embodiments, each slot 14 includes a corresponding control button 17 adapted to power the slot 14 independent from the other slots 14.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a diagram of the control circuit of the curling iron of the hair styling tool and heating system. The curling iron and the heating station each comprise a control circuit, wherein each control circuit includes similar components. A power source 37 of the curling iron powers the heating element 35 and is electrically connected thereto. The power source 37 may be one or more disposable or rechargeable batteries, wherein the batteries can be lithium ion, alkaline, or the like. The heating element 35 is electrically connected to a thermocouple 36, wherein the thermocouple 36 measures the temperature thereof. The thermocouple 36 is electrically connected to the light source 23 so as to illuminate the light when the desired temperature has been reached. Any suitable light source 23 can be used, such as a light-emitting diode (LED). The thermocouple 36 is adapted to interrupt the electric circuit when the desired temperature is exceeded in order to automatically turn off the heat.

Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown a diagram of the control circuit of the heating station of the hair styling tool and heating system. The control circuit of the heating station comprises a power source 29 that powers the heating element 38 disposed on each of the slot and is electrically connected thereto. The power source 29 may be an AC power plug adapted to removably secure to a wall socket. Each heating element 38 is electrically connected to a thermocouple 28, wherein the thermocouple 28 measures the temperature thereof. The thermocouple 28 is electrically connected to the light source 19 so as to illuminate the light when the desired temperature has been reached. Any suitable light source 19 can be used, such as an LED. The thermocouple 28 is adapted to interrupt the electric circuit when the desired temperature is exceeded in order to automatically turn off the power.

Referring now to FIG. 5, there is shown a cross sectional view of the heating station of the hair styling tool and heating system, wherein the head of the curling iron is disposed within a slot. In operation, each head 22 of the curling iron can be positioned on the magnetic strip 15 disposed on the slot 14 of the heating station 12. The power of the heating station 12 is turned on via the control button so as to allow each head 22 to increase in temperature. Once a head 22 is heated to the predetermined temperature, the light associated with the slot will become illuminated. The handle 25 can then be connected to head 22, wherein the head 22 can be removed from the heating station 12 for immediate use. The user may style an individual's hair with the heated curling iron. However, if the user requires additional heat, he or she can press the control button disposed on the handle 25 to further heat the head 22 of the curling iron. If the user desires to interchange the head 22, he or she powers off the handle 25 and remove the head once cooled. In the alternative, the user can place the head 22 in a slot 14, whereby the magnetic fastener 15 disposed on the heating station 12 is adapted to forcibly hold the head 22 in place while the handle 25 is removed therefrom. The handle 25 can then be attached to a different head 22.

The option of heating the head 22 of the curling iron via the handle 25 or a heating station 12 allows multiple heads 22 to be disposed in the heating station 12 without having the handle 25 attached thereto. In this way, the heads 22 of the curling iron can remain heated state without the handle 25 attached thereto so as to allow a user to readily use the head 22 without having to wait for the curling iron to heat up. The hair styling tool and heating system is adapted to maintain an organized space for storing and using hair styling tools so as to prevent wires from the tools from entangling and to prevent hot tools from laying unprotected on a countertop. The system is further adapted to allow professional stylists to organize and declutter their workstation, as well as provide convenience when styling a client's hair by allowing the user to have various curling irons readily available for use.

It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. 

I claim:
 1. A hair styling tool and heating system, comprising: a curling iron having a handle and one or more heads removably affixable to said handle, wherein said one or more heads are adapted to be interchangeably disposed on said handle; a heating station comprising a plurality of slots disposed thereon and adapted to receive said one or more heads of said curling iron therein, wherein said heating station is adapted to heat said one or more heads of said curling iron.
 2. The hair styling tool and heating system of claim 1, further comprising a fastening joint disposed on an interior of said plurality of slots and adapted to removably secure said head of said curling iron to said plurality of slots of said heating station.
 3. The hair styling tool and heating system of claim 2, wherein said fastening joint is a magnet.
 4. The hair styling tool and heating system of claim 1, wherein said head of said curling iron is composed of ferromagnetic material.
 5. The hair styling tool and heating system of claim 1, wherein said heating station comprises a plurality of light indicators adapted to indicate when said plurality of slots have reached a predetermined temperature, wherein each of said plurality of light indicators of said heating station are disposed adjacent to said plurality of slots of said heating station.
 6. The hair styling tool and heating system of claim 1, wherein said handle of said curling iron is removably affixed to one or more heads by a fastening joint.
 7. The hair styling tool and heating system of claim 6, wherein said fastening joint is magnetic.
 8. The hair styling tool and heating system of claim 1, wherein said handle of said at least one curling iron comprises a power source.
 9. The hair styling tool and heating system of claim 1, wherein said heating station comprises a power source.
 10. The hair styling tool and heating system of claim 1, wherein said bottom of said heating station comprises a plurality of legs.
 11. The hair styling tool and heating system of claim 1, wherein said curling iron comprises a thermocouple and a heating element, such that said heating element heats said curling iron, wherein said thermocouple is adapted to measure a temperature of said heating element and is adapted to shut off said heating element when a predetermined temperature is reached.
 12. The hair styling tool and heating system of claim 11, wherein said heating element is disposed in said head.
 13. The hair styling tool and heating system of claim 1, wherein said heating station comprises a thermocouple and heating element, such that said heating element heats said heating station, wherein said thermocouple is adapted to measure a temperature of said heating element and is adapted to shut off said heating element when a predetermined temperature is reached.
 14. The hair styling tool and heating system of claim 13, wherein said heating element is disposed on an interior of said heating station and disposed adjacent to a periphery of said plurality of slots.
 15. The hair styling tool and heating system of claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of slots disposed on said heating station are heated to a predetermined temperature.
 16. The hair styling tool and heating system of claim 15, wherein said predetermined temperature is indicated on a temperature label disposed on said heating station. 